Portable vibration monitor

ABSTRACT

A portable vibration monitoring probe is provided which comprises a housing, a probe and a transducer is provided. An analog to digital converter is coupled to the transducer output. The vibration monitor comprises an interface configured to transmit digital data comprising vibration parameters derived from the digitized analog signal to processing circuitry external to the housing. In some embodiments of the present invention, vibration monitors may be configured to store information in a memory located near the measuring point.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/898,485, entitled Digital Vibration Coupling Stud, filed on Jul. 22, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus for the detection of bearing and other malfunctions in machinery. More specifically, the present invention relates to portable vibration monitors and vibration coupling studs for monitoring the vibrational and other characteristics of the machine.

II. Description of the Related Art

In order to properly maintain machinery used in manufacturing facilities, power generating stations, etc., it has become common to employ vibration monitoring equipment to detect variations in the vibration characteristics of the machinery while they are operating. This assists in the determination of appropriate intervals for machine maintenance, and as a warning of imminent machine failure. It can be appreciated that proper scheduling of maintenance can improve the operating efficiency of the facility, and that a warning of imminent machine failure can avoid catastrophic machine damage as well as danger to facility personnel.

Many systems have been developed to implement such a monitoring procedure. In some systems, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,663 to Judd et al., for example, transducers are fixed to machinery throughout a plant or other facility, and the electrical signals from the transducers are wired to a central computer system for monitoring. Another system of this nature is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,327 to Talmadge et al. In the system described by Talmadge, the analog transducer signal is pre-processed with programmable filtering circuitry located within the transducer housing. The central computer of the Talmadge et al. system can both store and retrieve transducer ID data and instructions directing signal pre-processing into and out of a memory located within the transducer housing at the measuring point.

Systems of this design have the advantage that all points of interest in the plant can be continuously and simultaneously monitored. However, such a system is expensive to implement, requiring a large number of dedicated vibration transducers as well as interconnecting wiring strung throughout the facility. Accordingly, such implementations are most useful in situations where machine failure may have especially serious consequences, such as in a nuclear power plant for example.

A less expensive alternative to such a system uses a portable monitoring probe having an internal transducer and signal processing circuitry. A system such as this is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,674 to Canada et al. In systems of this design, plant personnel will walk a generally predetermined route around a facility being monitored in order to apply a portable data collection device to measuring points at various locations on the machinery to be monitored. In the Canada et al. patent, for example, a technician carries a handheld probe which is connected to a separate portable data collection and processing device. One portion of the handheld probe is placed either in direct contact with the outside of the machine to be monitored, or in direct contact with a vibration coupling stud secured to the outside of the machine to be monitored. Mechanical vibration is thus coupled to an internal piezoelectric vibration transducer for creating an electrical signal indicative of the vibratory acceleration of the machine being monitored. The handheld probe then outputs an analog vibration signal to a separate data collection and processing device. Vibration parameters such as acceleration and velocity are calculated and stored for later analysis.

A commercially available device of this nature is the Picolog (TM) from SKF Condition Monitoring of San Diego, Calif. The Picolog system comprises a handheld probe capable of measuring and storing hundreds of separate vibration level measurements. These measurements are later uploaded to a host computer system for analysis. The Picolog (TM), however, does not provide a real-time output of the vibration measurement.

Although these systems are relatively inexpensive, they have several disadvantages. One fundamental disadvantage is that the technician must accurately record where and when each vibration measurement is taken. Although a specific route which is followed by all technicians when gathering vibration data may be established, but this increases the required training, and some transcriptional or other route errors are essentially inevitable.

Although some devices have been designed to alleviate this problem, significant potential for improvement remains. A system described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,512 to Busch discloses a vibration data measuring probe which can read a measuring point code from a vibration coupling stud located at a particular measuring point. The coupling stud of this system includes a unique identifier such as a bar code, a specific arrangement of magnets, a ridge pattern, or other similar identifying characteristic. When the portable probe is applied to the coupling stud, a reader slides along the bar code, magnets, ridges, etc., thereby creating a signal which is transferred to a computer attached to the probe. This system is stated to allow the computer to identify the coupling stud the probe is attached to, thereby reducing or eliminating the need to manually transcribe information regarding the data point. However, the amount of information storable in the vibration coupling stud is very limited, and the probe required to read the code is mechanically complex.

What is needed in the art is therefore a vibration data collection system which incorporates increased capabilities for data storage at the measuring point, which is easy to use, and which is inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a portable vibration monitor comprising a housing and a probe is provided. The vibration monitor additionally comprises a transducer coupled to the probe, and an analog to digital converter coupled to the transducer output. Furthermore, the vibration monitor comprises an interface circuit configured to receive the digitized analog signal and configured to transmit digital data comprising vibration parameters derived from the digitized analog signal to processing circuitry external to the housing. The parameters transferred may vary widely, and may include acceleration, velocity, more complex parameters which indicate bearing defects levels, or may also comprise a frequency spectrum of the vibration signal.

Vibration monitors according to the present invention may also be configured to store information in a memory located near the measuring point. Accordingly, in another aspect of the present invention, a method of monitoring the condition of a machine involving such information storage is also provided. The method may comprise the steps of mechanically coupling a transducer to a measuring point on a machine, processing an output of the transducer to produce data indicative of one or more characteristics of vibrations of said machine, and storing the data in a memory located proximate to the measuring point on the machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable vibration monitoring system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is side view of the handheld portion of the portable vibration monitoring system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a top view of the handheld monitor of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a rear view of the handheld monitor of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D is a front view of the handheld monitor of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portion of the internal circuitry of the handheld vibration monitor of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4 is a cutaway side view of the handheld probe of FIG. 2A, illustrating the transducer and contact portions of the handheld vibration monitor.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view of an alternative embodiment of a handheld vibration monitor.

FIG. 6A is a cutaway side view of a third alternative embodiment of a handheld vibration monitor.

FIG. 6B is a front view of the monitor probe of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is an exploded view of one embodiment of a vibration coupling stud in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a printed circuit board adapted for installation in a vibration coupling stud.

FIG. 8A is a top view of the printed circuit board of FIG. 7B.

FIG. 8B is a bottom view of the printed circuit board of FIG. 7B.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the vibration coupling stud of FIG. 7B with the printed circuit board installed.

FIG. 10 is a cutaway side view along line 10--10 of the vibration coupling stud of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a second cutaway side view along lines 11--11 of the vibration coupling stud of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a cutaway side view along lines 12--12 of the handheld vibration monitor of FIG. 2 when interfaced with the vibration coupling stud of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13A is a cutaway side view of an alternative embodiment of a vibration coupling stud.

FIG. 13B is a top view of the vibration coupling stud of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of operational steps performed by a vibration monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein is intended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific preferred embodiments of the present invention. This is further emphasized below with respect to some particular terms used herein. Any terminology intended to be interpreted by the reader in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this specification.

FIG. 1 illustrates major components of one embodiment of the present invention as well as illustrating its most common environment of use. Accordingly, FIG. 1 shows a portion of a machine which incorporates a rotating shaft 12 mounted inside a ball bearing, journal bearing, or the like. The bearing may be mounted in a bearing housing 10. The rotating components of the machine, such as the shaft 12 mentioned above, produce characteristic vibrations of the bearing housing 10 and the machine as a whole which are communicated to a vibration coupling stud 14 which is secured to the bearing housing 10 or the machine enclosure, typically with a threaded connection into the machine enclosure or into the bearing housing 10 which is part of the overall machine.

It will be appreciated that the machine may be any type of vibrating device, including a turbine, pump, fan, or the like. As mentioned above, the vibration coupling stud 14 may be secured to a machine enclosure or other integral part, thereby coupling vibrations of an entire machine to a vibration monitoring system. Alternatively, in some embodiments of the present invention, one or more vibration coupling studs 14 are secured to a housing 10 for an individual bearing so that the vibration characteristics of shaft rotation within the single bearing may be examined and individual bearing condition therefore monitored as well. In these and similar cases, an individual bearing may be considered a portion of a machine, or may itself be considered a machine which is being monitored. The use of the word "machine" in this disclosure is thus intended to cover any device for which condition monitoring is advantageous, and is not intended to be limited to specific locations or specific types of apparatus.

The vibration coupling stud 14 provides a location which is adapted to accept a probe 23 with an end extending from a portable vibration monitor 20, which is illustrated in FIG. 1 as being compact enough to be handheld, although this is not required for portability. As can be seen in FIG. 1, a portion of the probe 23 is external to the housing 21 of the handheld vibration monitor 20. As will also be discussed below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 10, the probe 23 may comprise opposed flat sides 17, 18 and opposed threaded surfaces 25, 27 to allow for the establishment of a consistent mechanical coupling between the probe and the stud 14 via a 1/4 turn threaded engagement. As will be seen below with reference to FIGS. 4 through 6, a variety of different connection formats are possible, although certain configurations have characteristics which are especially desirable.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the handheld vibration monitor 20 includes a vibration transducer (illustrated in the partial cutaway view of FIG. 4), typically a piezoelectric crystal, which is in mechanical contact with portion of the probe 23 inside the housing 21 of the handheld vibration monitor 20. When the probe 23 is held in contact with the vibration coupling stud 14, the vibration is mechanically transferred to the transducer inside the housing 21 to produce an electrical signal for analysis. As will be described below, a portion of this analysis may be performed within the handheld vibration monitor 20, and additional analysis may be performed on a device external to the vibration monitor 20, such as an associated palm-top data processor or computer 22, which communicates with the handheld vibration monitor 20 over a communication link 24. The handheld vibration monitor 20 additionally may comprise a display 26, and a keypad 28 for direct user interface and control. It may be noted that in some embodiments of the vibration monitoring system herein described the palm-top data processor 22 may or may not be used with the handheld vibration monitor 20. As a stand-alone device, the handheld vibration monitor 20 may be configured to at least perform the data analysis necessary to compare the received vibration signal with alarm limits. When the palm-top computer is provided, data transfer between the palm-top computer 22 and the handheld vibration monitor 20 can occur as will be described below, and more sophisticated data storage and analysis can be performed.

In some advantageous embodiments which include the palm-top computer 22, signal processing performed inside the handheld vibration monitor 20 produces vibration data of various types in digital form. This digital data can then be communicated to the palm-top computer 22 using established communication protocols such as RS-232, RS-422, etc. which are well known to those of skill in the art, and which commercially available palm top computers are already adapted to receive and transmit. Although illustrated as a physical cable in FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that the communication link 24 may also utilize wireless methods such as infrared or RF based communication links. The palm-top data processor 22 may comprise a standard portable computing device available from several sources. The palm-top data processor may, for example, be a DOS or Windows (TM) based personal computer, and may advantageously include a keypad and/or a pen based user interface. In accordance with the above, the palm-top computer also preferably incorporates an RS-232 or other standard I/O interface for communicating with the handheld vibration monitor 20. With this configuration, no specialized communication hardware needs to be incorporated into the palm-top computer 22, and a large variety of currently available industry standard computers may be appropriately programmed to function as the palm-top computer 22 of the present vibration monitoring system.

The palm-top computer 22 is also preferably suitable for use in industrial environments involving rough handling, and possibly even the presence of explosive gases. Palm-top computers which are suitable for use in the system of FIG. 1 are commercially available, for example, as the PPT 4600 Series from Symbol Technologies of Holtsville, N.Y.

In FIGS. 2a through 2d, several views of an advantageous handheld vibration monitor 20 are presented. Referring now to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the handheld vibration monitor 20 is shown in side view and top view respectively, illustrating the display 26 and keypad 28 on the housing 21 in FIG. 2a. In addition to the display, which advantageously comprises an LCD display, several different color alarm LEDs 27 may also be provided. The keypad 28 may include three separate function keys. One key 30, preferably comprises an "ON/OFF" key for unit activation. A second "BACKLIGHT" key 32 turns a display backlight on and off. A "DISPLAY" key 34 allows the user to scroll through several alternate displays, such as a display of the value currently being measured, a display of current alarm setpoints, or a display of current danger setpoints.

In some embodiments of the present invention, two "TAKE DATA" buttons 36, 38 are provided on the housing. The two "TAKE DATA" keys may be provided on opposite surfaces of the housing 21 at the same location along the length of the handheld vibration monitor 20. Both of these buttons have identical functionality. As will be explained below in more detail in conjunction with FIG. 14, actuation of either "TAKE DATA" key will initiate the processing of the electrical signal produced by the internal transducer. Measured vibration signal characteristics such as velocity, acceleration, enveloped acceleration, or other calculated vibration measurement values can then be presented on the display or output to the palm-top computer 22.

The housing 21 may be formed to comprise an outward bulge 40 extending along the side opposite the display 26. With this housing 21 shape and "TAKE DATA" key 36, 38 placement, a user may hold the vibration monitor 20 in either the left or right hand, and with the bulge 40 resting in the palm of the hand, the user's left or right thumb rests comfortably over one or the other "TAKE DATA" key 36, 38.

As is illustrated in the rear view of FIG. 2c, the handheld vibration monitor 20 may also comprise a communication port 42 for interfacing with the palm-top computer 22 described above. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the communication port comprises a 9 pin D-subminiature connector well known to those of skill in the art and which is often used in the standard serial RS-232 digital data communication protocol.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the processing circuitry inside one embodiment of the handheld vibration monitor 20, as well as the mechanical and electrical interface between the stud 14 and the monitor 20. The central component is a microprocessor 66 which controls the monitor 20 function and performs some or all of the data processing on the vibration signal received from the machine being monitored. The circuitry includes a function key interface 68, and an I/O interface 70 for communication with an external data processor such as the palm-top computer 22 discussed above. Display driver circuitry 72 and memory 74 are also coupled to the microprocessor 66, either via two separate buses or, as shown in FIG. 4, via a shared bus. The memory 74 is preferably at least partially non-volatile, and stores information such as alarm limits, and the current date and time. Also preferably stored in the memory is a bearing severity matrix which comprises a table correlating a list of bearing types, a code for particular bearing or machine configurations, unique measuring point identifiers, or other identification data with appropriate alarm and danger vibration levels. With a stored matrix of this sort, a given numerical vibration measurement may produce a different alarm status depending on the point at which the measurement is taken. Also important is the stud interface 80, which provides electrical and mechanical communication between the stud 14 and the monitor 20.

The microprocessor receives signals from the stud 14 via two different routes. The first is via a mechanical coupling 76 between the stud 14 and the transducer 52 which is mediated by the mechanical coupling features of the stud interface 80. The output of the transducer may be filtered by analog anti-aliasing or other filters and is then sampled and digitized by an analog to digital converter 78 to produce a series of digital samples defined by the analog output of the transducer. The analog to digital converter 78 transmits the samples to the microprocessor 66 for calculations of acceleration or velocity amplitudes, as well as other characteristics of the vibration signal from the machine being monitored. Specific vibrational signatures indicative of bearing wear or malfunction, such as enveloped acceleration measurements, can also be observed and their presence and/or degree can be communicated to the user either with the display 26 or via the communication link to the palm-top computer 22. In some advantageous embodiments, the microprocessor 66 calculates a discrete frequency spectrum of the incoming digital samples. The results of this calculation can be used to calculate various vibrational parameters inside the monitor 20, or they may be communicated to the palm-top computer 22 for analysis. If desired, sampled values output from the analog to digital converter 78 can be transmitted to the palmtop computer 22 in real time as the vibration measurement is being made.

The stud interface 80 also forms an electrical coupling 77 between the processor 66 with memory and/or other circuitry embedded in the stud 14. As will be seen below, the design of this electrical coupling is advantageously as illustrated in one of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4-13. Through this interface 80, the handheld vibration monitor 20 can retrieve data stored in such stud mounted memory ICs. This data may include bearing type, measuring point identification, a code indicating bearing configuration, known bearing defect frequencies, a baseline vibration reading, previously taken vibration measurements along with the time and/or date the measurement was taken, stored alarm limits, as well as other types of data described more fully below with reference to the stud 14 itself. Also, when used with an appropriately configured vibration coupling stud 14, the handheld vibration monitor 20 can transmit data via the stud interface 80 to the vibration coupling stud 14, such as measured vibration characteristics, revised alarm limits, a severity matrix relevant to the measuring point, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a cutaway view of one embodiment of the handheld vibration monitor 20 is shown. Held in place between two halves 21a, 21b of the monitor housing 21 is the probe 23. In this embodiment, the probe 23 comprises a body which may advantageously include a rounded tip 48 at an end extending out from the housing 21. This tip 48 makes physical contact with a portion of the vibration coupling stud 14 to couple mechanical vibrations from the machine to the handheld vibration monitor 20. The probe 23 may also comprise a 1/4 turn threaded portion 50 (also illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and comprising threaded sections 25 and 27 illustrated in FIG. 1) intermediate between the tip 48 and the probe 23 entry point into the housing 21. The threaded portion 50 is preferably configured to mate with a threaded portion of the vibration coupling stud 14, as will be explained in detail below with reference to FIG. 12. The threaded section 50 also preferably is of a double-start configuration, such that the threaded surfaces 25, 27 engage identically with the stud, which results in a 1/4 turn engagement regardless of the initial orientation of the probe 23 when it is placed in contact with the stud 14.

Inside the housing 21, the other end of the probe 23 is mechanically coupled to the vibration transducer 52. As is known in the art, the vibration transducer 52 may be a compression, annular shear, or other suitable style. The most appropriate type of transducer 52 will depend on the desired frequency response, sensitivity, and other parameters which may vary with intended operating environment. Those of skill in the art will be readily capable of selecting a transducer suitable for use in the handheld monitor described herein. It is most advantageous, of course, for the probe 23 to be tightly mechanically coupled to the transducer 52, and mechanically isolated from the housing 21 itself. Suitable methods of accomplishing these objectives will also be apparent to those of skill in the art.

Two electrical contacts to the transducer 52 are made, one of which comprises a circuit common 53 which is electrically tied to the metal probe 23 body. A second, signal electrical contact 54 is also made with the transducer 52 in a conventional manner. Both of these connections are connected to leads which route the analog electrical signal produced by the transducer 52 to the internal processing circuitry.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stud interface 80 also includes an electrical coupling 77 between the stud 14 and the monitor 20. One alternative configuration of this electrical coupling 77 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Thus, some embodiments of the present invention include a sleeve 56 made of a dielectric plastic material surrounding the probe 23 body. This dielectric sleeve 56 may in turn be surrounded by a conductive metal sleeve 58 which extends outside the housing 21 to a point short of the top of the threaded portion 50, thus creating another conductive contact near the probe. Internal to the housing 21, an electrical contact 60 is made to the outer sleeve 58. Thus, a coaxial type electrical structure may be created by the central probe 23 body, dielectric sleeve 56, and outer sleeve 58. This coaxial structure includes the circuit common 53 comprising the probe 23 body as described above and a second signal lead 62 internal to the housing 21, which is also routed to the processing circuitry inside the monitor 20. As will be explained further below, the above described structure is adapted to electrically connect circuitry internal to the handheld vibration monitor 20 with an electrical contact on the vibration coupling stud 14 so as to transfer data between the handheld vibration monitor 20 and integrated circuits (ICs) mounted in the vibration coupling stud.

Although a coaxial type structure is illustrated in FIG. 4, other methods of creating an electrical contact near the probe 23 tip are possible. For example, in one alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the portion of the probe above the threaded section 50 is surrounded by a dielectric sleeve 57 which is provided with a metal ring 59 molded into the lower end of the dielectric sleeve, and having an exposed surface which forms the desired conductive contact. In this embodiment, a hole 61 may be provided longitudinally through the body of the sleeve so as to extend from inside the housing of the handheld vibration monitor to the top portion of the metal ring. A wire may be threaded through this longitudinal hole to connect to the metal ring 59 and which forms the signal connection 62.

A third alternative for creating the electrical portion of the stud interface 80 is illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. In this embodiment, the probe 23a is formed so as to comprise a threaded receptacle 47, rather than as a plug as shown in FIGS. 1-6. As is best illustrated in the front view of FIG. 6B, the receptacle 47 may have an oblong cross section similar to that shown for the plug style probe 23 of FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D. In this case, the stud 14 may comprise the mating plug portion, configured in a manner analogous to the probe 23 previously described, as is discussed below with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B. The rear end of the probe 23a of FIGS. 6A and 6B forms a mount for the vibration transducer 52.

As with the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, the metal probe 23a body forms the ground connection 53 between the stud 14 and the vibration monitor 20. To create the signal connection, a printed circuit board 49 is secured inside the receptacle 47 with epoxy adhesive or other mechanical fastening means. Soldered to the printed circuit board 49 is a resilient metal dome 51. Through a longitudinal hole in the probe 23a, the signal lead 62 that extends to the processing circuitry inside the monitor 20 is electrically connected to the dome 51, thus forming another electrical contact proximate to the probe 23 body. As will be explained further below, the dome 51 makes contact with a conductive pad or trace on a printed circuit board in an appropriately configured stud 14, such as the design illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B, to communicate with mcmory and/or other circuitry embedded in the stud 14.

One embodiment of a vibration coupling stud 14, which is especially adapted for use with the handheld vibration monitor 20 of FIGS. 1 through 5 is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. As is illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 7A, one embodiment of an advantageous vibration coupling stud 14 includes a metal body comprising an upper hex-nut portion 84 and a lower threaded portion 86 extending therefrom along a central longitudinal axis 85 of the body of the stud 14. The lower threaded portion 86 is threadably installed into a bearing housing or machine enclosure, thereby attaching the stud to a machine measuring point when the stud is to be used as part of a vibration monitoring system. The vibration coupling stud may also include a rubber or plastic cover 88 for covering the stud 14 body when measurements are not being taken.

Preferably, the top surface 90 of the upper hex-nut portion of the vibration coupling stud 14 is machined to incorporate a recess 92 which is configured to mount a printed circuit board 94. To properly mate with the printed circuit board 94 and its components, the bottom of the recess 92 includes a plurality of cavities. One such cavity may comprise a centrally located probe receptacle 96. The probe receptacle 96 extends generally along the longitudinal axis 85 from the bottom surface of the recess 92 into the body of the stud 14. Opposed sides of the probe receptacle 96 are provided with threads 97 which engage with the threaded surfaces 25, 27 of the probe 23. It can be appreciated with examination of FIGS. 2 and 5A that the probe receptacle 96 is shaped to slidably accept the probe 23 with the flat surfaces 17, 18 of the probe 23 aligned adjacent to the threaded surfaces 97 inside the probe receptacle 96. A 1/4 turn of the vibration monitor 20 (producing 1/4 turn of the probe tip 23 as well) will then engage the threads 25, 27 on the probe 23 with the threads 97 in the probe receptacle 96. As will be described below in conjunction with FIG. 10, this 1/4 turn solidly mates the probe 23 with the probe receptacle 96 when vibration measurements are to be taken.

As has also been mentioned briefly above, one or more integrated circuits ("ICs") 104 are soldered to the printed circuit board 94. In some embodiments, the ICs 104 are memory ICs for storing data concerning vibration measurements, alarm limits, bearing data, etc. In some advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the memory ICs have only two electrically active terminals, one comprising a signal terminal, and one comprising a ground terminal. Memory ICs which are suitable for use in some embodiments of the stud 14 of the present invention are commercially available, for example, as part number DS2430A from Dallas Semiconductor of Dallas, Tex. These devices include 256 bits of EEPROM memory which is serially written to and read from over the one signal terminal provided. These devices also include a 48 bit serial number so that individual memory ICs can be connected in parallel to a single signal line and addressed separately by an external device.

Furthermore, in other embodiments of the vibration coupling stud 14, one of the ICs soldered to the printed circuit board 94 may also comprise a electronic temperature sensor which has a digital output indicative of the temperature of the device. Preferably, the digital output is available serially over a single signal lead in a manner analogous to that described above with respect to the memory IC. Suitable temperature sensors of this nature are also commercially available from, for example, Dallas Semiconductor as part number DS1820.

As is illustrated in FIG. 7A, several tapped holes 98 for accepting printed circuit board mounting hardware 100 are also provided in the bottom of the recess 92, and the printed circuit board 94 is installed in the recess 92 in what would usually be considered upside down, with the ICs extending away from the printed circuit board 94 in a downward direction. In order to accommodate the vertical extension of the ICs 104 away from the bottom of the printed circuit board 94, the bottom of the recess 92 additionally comprises one or more hollow cavities 106a, 106b, 106c which are shaped and positioned to receive the ICs 104. Thus, when the printed circuit board 104 is installed in the recess 92, the tapped holes 98 are aligned with screw holes 108 in the printed circuit board 94, the probe receptacle 98 is aligned with a central aperture 110 in the printed circuit board 94, and the ICs 104 are aligned with the hollow cavities 106a, 106b, 106c respectively. The bottom surface 112 of the printed circuit board 94 thus rests flat on the bottom of the recess 92, with the top surface 114 of the printed circuit board 94 preferably below the level of the top surface 90 of the hex-nut portion of the stud 14 body. FIG. 5B illustrates the bottom side 112 of the printed circuit board, showing six ICs extending up from the board. It will be appreciated that the number of ICs provided will vary with the application and the amount of memory desired for the vibration coupling stud. For example, one advantageous embodiment includes one temperature sensor IC and one memory IC.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, the printed circuit board 94 is further configured to electrically interface with the handheld vibration monitor 20 by including a trace 120 on its upper surface 114 which is not covered in solder mask, but instead comprises a bare metal contact point. If desired for corrosion resistance, the bare trace 120 may be coated with solder or be gold plated. In some advantageous embodiments, the trace 120 forms a ring around the central aperture 110. The trace is further electrically coupled to the signal pin of each IC 104 mounted to the printed circuit board 94.

As is shown in FIG. 8B, the bottom surface 112 of the printed circuit board 94 comprises a ground plane 122 which is electrically coupled to additional bare traces 124 surrounding the screw holes 108 in the printed circuit board 94. Also electrically coupled to the ground plane are the ground pins of each IC 104. When the printed circuit board 94 is installed in the recess 92 of the stud 14, the stud body makes electrical contact with the ground plane 122, and thus with the ground pins of the ICs 104.

The construction of the stud 14 is further illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 11. In FIG. 9, a top view shows the printed circuit board 94 mounted within the recess 92. FIG. 9 best illustrates the advantageous shape of the central aperture 110 in one embodiment of the stud 14. In this embodiment, the central aperture has an oblong shape conforming to the probe 23 cross section such that the probe flat sides 17, 18 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) must be aligned with those sides of the probe receptacle 96 which include the threads 97. After insertion of the probe 23 through the aperture 110, 1/4 turn rotation forces the threads to engage so as to couple the probe 23 with the stud 14.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cutaway view along line 10--10 of FIG. 9, illustrating two of the screw holes 98 and the probe receptacle 96 formed inside the stud body. The bottom of the probe receptacle 96 may include a central depression 124 for accepting the tip of the probe 23 when the probe 23 is installed inside the stud 14, as will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 11 is a cutaway view along lines 11--11 of FIG. 9, and illustrates a cross section of hollow cavity 106a with the ICs suspended from the printed circuit board 94 above the cavity 106a. Although not illustrated in FIG. 11, when one of the ICs is a temperature sensor, the body of that IC may be placed in direct contact with the body of the stud 14, or the temperature sensor IC may fit snugly within a specially designed cavity filled with heat conducting grease or epoxy compound.

FIG. 12 shows the handheld vibration monitor 20 with its probe portion 23 inserted through the aperture 110 in the printed circuit board 94 and into the probe receptacle 96 and after the 1/4 turn rotation which engaged the threads. The probe receptacle 96 is machined to a depth which makes the tip of the probe 23 press firmly against the base of the depression 124 when the probe threads 25, 27 are engaged to the probe receptacle threads 97. Therefore, when the probe 23 is rotated by 1/4 turn after installation, thread engagement presses the tip of the probe 23 firmly into the depression 124 to produce a consistent and solid mechanical contact between the probe 23 and the stud body. It is advantageous for the interface between the handheld vibration monitor 20 and the stud 14 to remain in place with the user's hand removed from the monitor housing 21. This facilitates consistency over the course of many applications of the monitor 20 to the measuring point over the life of the machine.

In FIGS. 13A and 13B, an alternative stud 14 embodiment is illustrated which is adapted to engage the probe 23a of FIGS. 6A and 6B. In this configuration, the stud 14 forms a plug which engages to the receptacle 47 of the probe 23a. The stud 14 comprises an approximately centrally located cavity 106d, which has an upper ledge 116 for receiving a printer circuit board 126. The printed circuit board 126 has one or more memory or other ICs 118 as described in detail above mounted to one side so as to extend into the cavity 116 when the printed circuit board 126 rests on the ledge. The ICs may be surface mounted to the board, and the IC/printed circuit board assembly may be held in place by placing epoxy into the cavity 106d, embedding the IC into the epoxy, and letting the epoxy set. In a manner analogous to that shown and described with respect to the probe 23 of FIG. 1-2, this stud 14 embodiment may comprise double start threads 128 and opposed flat surfaces 132 so as to engage the probe 23a of FIGS. 6A and 6B with 1/4 turn. To form the electrical communication between the probe 23a of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the signal terminal of the ICs is connected to a pad or trace 133 (through a via if the ICs are surface mounted) on the outward facing surface of the printed circuit board 126. Also, the ground terminal of the ICs may be connected to a trace which is routed near the edge of the printed circuit board 126 so as to contact the ledge 116 of the stud 14, and to thereby connect the ground terminals of the ICs to the metal stud 14 body.

In some embodiments of the present invention, therefore, the formation of a mechanical connection between the probe 23 or 23a tip and the stud 14, an electrical contact is also formed between the probe 23 or 23a and the metal stud body. Furthermore, an additional electrical contact 58, 59, 51 creates an electrical connection with the bare trace or pad 120, 133 on a surface of a stud mounted printed circuit board 94, 126. In this way, the circuit common 53, and the second signal lead 62 inside the handheld vibration monitor 20 are connected to the ground and the signal terminals of the ICs, thus forming a data communication link between the ICs and the processing circuitry inside the handheld vibration monitor 20.

Once this electrical and mechanical communication is established, the user can perform a wide variety of data acquisition and data storage functions. A flow chart illustrating one possible sequence for data acquisition and storage is presented in FIG. 11. The first step to data collection, shown at 130 in FIG. 11, is applying the probe 23 or 23a to the stud 14 and rotating the monitor 20 by 1/4 turn to engage the threads on the probe with the threads on the stud. As discussed above, this engagement also creates a connection between the vibration monitor 20 and a pad or trace on the surface of a printed wiring board mounted on the stud. At step 134, one of the two "TAKE DATA" keys discussed above is pressed. It may be noted that some stud embodiments may be temporarily magnetically coupled to the machine being monitored rather than permanently mounted. These magnetic studs will generally not include memory storage for data regarding one particular measuring point, because they will be used at many different measuring points. However, a magnetically coupled stud may still advantageously include a temperature sensor with an analog electrical output indicative of temperature. The circuitry in the handheld vibration monitor 20 is therefore preferably configured to automatically sense the presence or absence of memory ICs. Thus, at step 136, circuitry in the handheld vibration monitor 20 checks for communication with embedded memory devices to determine if the stud being used is a permanently mounted configuration having a memory for storing information relevant to the measuring point. If no memory devices are sensed, at step 138 the handheld vibration monitor 20 looks for an electrical signal from an analog temperature sensing device. If no analog temperature signal is sensed, at step 140 the analog temperature sensing circuitry is deactivated, and at step 142 the analog signal from the vibration transducer 52 is monitored. Alternatively, if an analog temperature signal is detected, the monitor 20 determines the temperature at the measuring point at step 141.

The circuitry inside the vibration monitor 20 then analyzes the signal output from the transducer 52 at step 142. In some embodiments, an automatic settling routine is run during vibration data collection. This ensures that the vibration signal is stable before it is compared to alarm limits or displayed on the display 26 of the monitor 20. In one automatic settling routine, the rate of change of the RMS signal output from the transducer 52 is monitored by comparing RMS values taken at regular intervals. If the difference between successive RMS values is less than some predetermined fraction of the latest RMS value measured, the reading is considered valid, and is made available for further processing and display. Of course, other signal analysis techniques to determine whether or not the signal being received is settled and is not fluctuating excessively due to a poor contact or other problem will be apparent to those of skill in the art, and the specific method used may vary widely while providing the useful "signal OK" determination. It is beneficial, however, to include this initial signal monitoring which requires no user action or judgement to determine if the incoming signal appears to be a valid measurement.

After determining that the signal has the characteristics of a valid, stable signal, the signal is processed to produce velocity data or more complex vibration signal parameters. One or more of these values may then be compared to alarm limits for the measured parameters. Typically, the handheld vibration monitor 20 has default alarm limits stored in the internal memory 74. Preferably, however, these default values may be overridden by point specific alarm limits uploaded from the memory chips 104 in the stud 14 as will also be described below. At steps 144 and 146, the measured value and any required alarms may then be displayed on the handheld vibration monitor 20. Alternatively, if an RS-232 communication to a palm-top processor 22 is present, data may also be downloaded to the processor 22 at step 148. The processor 22 may then perform additional analysis, and may also display data and present necessary alarm to the user at steps 150 and 152.

At step 154, if a stud containing memory IC's is present, the handheld vibration monitor 20 will upload the data which is available. This data may include a unique or quasi-unique point identification code to specifically identify the point in the facility the monitor 20 is connected to. It may also include point specific alarm levels for vibration parameters such as acceleration or velocity as well as alarm limits for more complex frequency and amplitude analyses of the vibration spectrum. Other types of data may also be stored in the stud IC memory such as bearing part or model number, factory measured bearing quality characteristics, lubrication data, when the bearing was installed, appropriate measurement setup such as filtering parameters, a list of vibrational frequencies indicative of bearing defects, rotational speed, as well as others. As bearing housing temperature is an important parameter in addition to the various forms of vibration data, the stud 14 may include an integral digital temperature sensor IC as set forth above, and therefore digital temperature data may also be retrieved at step 154. As will also be described below, the data stored in the stud may additionally comprise prior time and date stamped vibration and temperature measurements made at that measuring point.

If no data has been stored in the stud, and no temperature data is available, the circuitry inside the vibration monitor 20 then waits for a stable signal output from the transducer 52 at step 156 as has been described with reference to step 142. After the measurement has been made, the measurement is stored at step 158 in the stud 14 by the monitor 20 over the electrical interface to the ICs. In some advantageous embodiments, the measurement is stored in association with the date and perhaps also the time that the measurement was taken. When no prior data is stored in the stud, this initial measurement is preferably tagged as a baseline measurement, which is used to compare with future measurements to evaluate the presence of defects and other alarm conditions which are revealed by changes from the baseline measurement. Then, the monitor moves to the data and alarm display steps 144, 146, 150, 152 discussed above.

Depending on whether or not the monitor 20 is interfacing with a palm-top processing unit 22, any data retrieved from the stud at step 154 is used to configure either the monitor alone at step 160 or both the monitor 20 and palm-top processor 22 at step 162 for display and alarm parameters which are appropriate to the measuring point. At step 164, if a series of prior measurements are stored in the stud 14, the monitor or palm-top processor evaluates the trend around or away from the baseline measurement initially taken and stored in the stud using procedures for vibration data analysis which are well known in the art. Following this retrieval and analysis of prior data, the monitor 20 analyzes the transducer signal at step 166, waiting for a valid reading as described above with reference to steps 142 and 156.

At step 168, the latest measurement taken at step 166 is stored in the stud IC memory. In some advantageous embodiments, a first-in, first-out (FIFO) series of data points are stored in the stud. Once the FIFO stack is full, new entries force the oldest entry out. However, the entry tagged as the baseline entry will be retained. Storing such a historical record of measurements in the stud itself can be useful in watching trends over time in the measured parameters. When the prior measurements are stored in the stud 14, a significant or dangerous difference between the current measurement and past measurements can be spotted immediately, without requiring the value to be first downloaded to a host computer which stores the past measurement data. In some embodiments, the decision of whether or not to store the measured data in the stud is made by the user, while in other alternative embodiments, the handheld vibration monitor 20 automatically stores the measured value in the stud 14 memory without additional user interaction. At step 170 then, the new measurement and stored trend are evaluated for the generation of alarms to the user, and the system enters the data and alarm display steps 144, 146, 150, 152.

It is generally advantageous to store at least the date the measurement was taken in association with the measurement itself. It can be appreciated that this information would often be useful in evaluating the significance of changes in vibration measurements at different data acquisition times. In some embodiments, only one measurement per day will be stored, and any further measurements taken on that day will overwrite the previously made measurement. This allows a user to conveniently overwrite a previous entry if the user suspects that bad data was gathered at that point earlier in the day. After these operations are complete, the user removes the probe.

It may also be desirable to add or alter bearing parameters, alarm limits, and other information stored or storable in the memory of the vibration coupling stud 14. In many advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the creation or revision of alarm limits, severity matrices, configuration data, etc. stored in the stud at the measuring point is tightly controlled by a host computer system. In advantageous embodiments, the host system will interface with the palm-top processor 22 and download any new alarm limits, or other new or revised data to be stored in the stud 14. The host system may also instruct the monitor 20 to store the new parameters in the stud 14 during the next monitor/stud connection. This writing process may be contrasted with the process of storing date stamped vibration measurements in the stud 14, which preferably can be accomplished with the monitor 20 alone, without any monitor 20 interface to the palm-top processor 22 or host system intervention.

The vibration monitoring system of the present invention thus provides several advantages over prior art vibration monitoring systems. A wide variety of information about the machine, bearing, or other device being monitored can be stored in the vibration coupling stud. This information is easily retrievable and alterable during routine vibration data acquisition. Temperature data may also be retrieved from the stud itself. The handheld vibration monitor is configured to promote a consistent mechanical coupling and stable output reading with each application of the monitor to a measuring point. In addition, the handheld vibration monitor may download various forms of vibration data in a digital format which is consistent with industry standard communication protocols and hardware. This allows standard, commercially available palm-top computers to be used with the handheld vibration monitor. Thus, users need only run appropriate software on palm-tops they already own or choose themselves, and do not need separately acquire palm-top computers having hardware dedicated to interfacing with the handheld vibration monitor.

The foregoing description details certain preferred embodiments of the present invention and describes the best mode contemplated. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. As is also stated above, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the present invention should not be taken to imply that the broadest reasonable meaning of such terminology is not intended, or that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. The scope of the present invention should therefore be construed in accordance with the appended Claims and any equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable vibration monitor, comprising:a housing; a probe; a transducer coupled to said probe, wherein said transducer is substantially enclosed within said housing, and wherein said transducer has as an output an analog signal representative of vibrations present in a piece of vibrating machinery contacted by said first portion of said probe; an analog to digital converter coupled to said output of said transducer, and configured to digitize said analog signal; a processing circuit configured to receive said digitized analog signal and to produce digital data comprising a value indicative of the degree of bearing wear derived from said digitized analog signal, and an interface circuit configured to receive said digital data from said processing circuit and to transmit said digital data to a device external to said housing while said processing circuit is producing additional digital data for transmission.
 2. The monitor of claim 1, wherein said at least one vibration parameter comprises velocity.
 3. The monitor of claim 1, wherein said at least one vibration parameter comprises enveloped acceleration.
 4. The monitor of claim 1, wherein said vibration parameter comprises a frequency domain spectrum.
 5. A method of monitoring the condition of a machine, comprising the steps of:storing data indicative of bearing service history or bearing assembly in a memory located proximate to a measuring point on a machine; mechanically coupling a transducer to said measuring point; processing an output of said transducer to produce data indicative of one or more characteristics of vibrations of said machine; and storing said data indicative of one or more characteristics of vibrations of said machine in said memory.
 6. The method of claim 5, additionally comprising the step of subsequently retrieving said data from said memory.
 7. The method of claim 5, additionally comprising the step of storing data indicative of the date said vibration characteristics data of said machine was acquired.
 8. A handheld probe for monitoring the condition of machines, said handheld probe comprising:a housing; a piezoelectric transducer within said housing; electrical circuitry within said housing comprising a circuit common reference point; a metal probe comprising a coupler for connecting to a stud located at a measuring point on a machine, wherein said metal probe is mechanically coupled to said piezoelectric transducer and electrically coupled to said circuit common reference point; and a metal contact located proximate to said metal probe, said metal contact coupled to said electrical circuitry so as to transmit electrical signals between said electrical circuitry and one or more devices external to said housing, whereby both an electrical and mechanical coupling between the stud at the measuring point is made when said metal probe is connected to said stud.
 9. The handheld probe of claim 8, wherein said metal probe comprises a threaded portion adapted for 1/4 turn engagement with a probe receiving location on the machine.
 10. The handheld probe of claim 9, wherein said threaded portion comprises double start threads.
 11. An interface between a vibration measuring point on a machine and a digital data processor, said interface comprising:a portable, handheld housing; a probe having a first portion external to said housing which is configured to mechanically couple to said vibration measuring point, said probe additionally comprising a second portion coupled to a vibration transducer; a circuit in said housing translating an analog electrical signal output from said transducer into digital data; wireless communication circuitry within said housing receiving said digital data, and for wirelessly transmitting said digital data in approximately real time to the digital data processor for further processing.
 12. A method of monitoring the condition of a machine, the method comprising the steps of:contacting a measuring point on said machine with a portable probe comprising a vibration transducer; converting an output of said transducer to first data indicative of one or more characteristics of vibrations of said machine; and, electronically evaluating said data for characteristics associated with a stable data reading by determining the rate of change of the value of said data. 